Tag: pacific rim

Pacific Rim: Live from Wrestle Kingdom 20

Posted on by Jim Valley

Image: Jim Valley

A new episode of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast from the Tokyo Dome right after Wrestle Kingdom 20 and the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi is here.

Fumi Saito and Jim Valley talk about what it was like to be at a SOLD OUT dome.

Plus, the guys share their thoughts on Tanahashi, Okada, Takeshita, Tsuji, Aaron Wolf, EVIL and more questions like what does the future hold for the IWGP title, Wolf and NJPW as a whole?

The atmosphere all day was like nothing experienced since the 90s. We’ll talk about it all from a first person perspective.

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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito remembers his friend Sabu

Posted on by Jim Valley

On a new Pacific Rim with Jim Valley, he and co-host Fumi Saito remembers Sabu, his friend of over 30 years.

Fumi fills in a lot of Sabu’s history going back to his uncle — the “Original” Sheik Ed Farhat — Sabu’s training and upbringing in the business, his real age (not the one widely reported), his three wrestling influences on which he based his in-ring style, an act of kindness Hana Kimura’s mother never forgot, and much more.

Enjoy stories and a side of Sabu you won’t hear anywhere else.

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Pacific Rim: Stardom, Rossy Ogawa’s new promotion, more

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast. Fumi Saito and Jim Valley are back. Fumi sets the record straight about Stardom and the split with Rossy Ogawa. We talk about what happened, what brought it on, and what to expect going forward. Fumi also clarifies the situations with Kairi Sane and Giulia’s exits from the company. Plus details on Rossy’s new company, titles and vision going forward. After that, we talk about John Laurinaitis, his career in Japan, and his connection to Billy Jack Haynes. Check it out.

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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito remembers Terry Funk

Posted on by Jim Valley

With the passing of Terry Funk, we hurriedly put together this very special edition of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast.

Terry Funk made over 100 trips to Japan and Fumi Saito was there for many of them. Fumi knew Terry, interviewed him many times over his career, and even visited the Double Cross Ranch. Fumi covers Terry from the beginning at West Texas State and its influence on professional wrestling, his one match in Japan as NWA Champion, booking foreign talent for Baba, his first retirement, how his comebacks were perceived, FMW, Onita, Sabu, and some personal stories as well. RIP Terry Funk.

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Pacific Rim: A deep dive into the career of Keiji Muto

Posted on by Jim Valley

On this week’s Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, Fumi Saito and I look at the career of Keiji Muto.

We begin with his debut in 1984, American excursions, the creation of The Great Muta, his rise to stardom in NJPW, the Three Musketeers, All-Japan, Wrestle 1, Hustle, NOAH and more. 

Fumi has known Muto since 1984, so this is 90 minutes of insight you won’t hear anywhere else, including what inspired a young Muto to become one of the biggest stars of all time.

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Pacific Rim: Keiji Muto’s other choices for his final opponent

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast is back with myself and Fumi Saito.

Fumi was live at Yokohama Arena for the Great Muta Final Bye-Bye event. This week, he shares his thoughts on Muta, Sting, Darby Allin, Hakushi and the crowd that night.

With that, the Keiji Muto Grand Final Card has been announced. Tetsuya Naito will be Muto’s final opponent, but before he issued his challenge, Muto considered a few different people before choosing Naito. You won’t believe who Muto talked with to be his last opponent.

Plus, we talk about Jake Lee and also NOAH and NJPW going forward.

This is a very newsworthy show so hear it for yourself and don’t wait to read about it later.

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Pacific Rim: Looking at Sasha Banks’ popularity and visibility in Japan

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast with Fumi Saito and I is back and everyone is talking about the potential for Sasha Banks to appear at Wrestle Kingdom.

But, how big of a star is she in Japan now as WWE isn’t on TV there and hasn’t toured there in years? How much visibility does she have in the country? We discuss.

Also, we talk big plans for Keiji Muto’s retirement, Jake Lee, Naito & Ibushi being elected to the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Rossy Ogawa, your questions and more. 

A packed show with all kinds of history and information, so check it out.

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Pacific Rim: New Japan x Stardom Historic X-Over review

Posted on by Jim Valley

As promised, it’s a second Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast this week as Fumi Saito and I review Saturday’s New Japan Stardom Historic X-Over: a truly historic showcase of men and women from Japan’s two largest pro wrestling companies on the same card. 

Fumi runs down the card, the results and his thoughts on the performances and the wrestlers. We talk about the up and coming talent, The Great Muta, a new IWGP Women’s Champion, and the surprise of Kenny Omega challenging Will Ospreay for the IWGP US Title at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th at Tokyo Dome. 

Check it out. 

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Pacific Rim: The career of Jun Akiyama, New Japan x Stardom Historic X-Over preview

Posted on by Jim Valley

On this week’s Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling podcast, Fumi Saito and I preview the New Japan x Stardom Historic X-Over event.

Not only is the show a rare mix of male and female talent in Japan, but the women – KAIRI and Mayu for the IWGP Women’s title – will go on last. 

Fumi and I also talk about the career of the legendary Jun Akiyama. From his rookie year to All-Japan, Pro Wrestling NOAH and DDT, we talk about where he ranks in the pantheon of Japanese pro wrestling ahead of his AEW debut Friday.

Plus, we talk tag team tournament time in Japan, JONAH’s decision on returning to WWE or staying with NJPW, and more.

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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito’s version of AWA Tales from the Territories

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. 

When he was a teenager, Fumi Saito came to the United States as an exchange student in Minnesota. He covered and photographed the American Wrestling Association (AWA) for a Japanese wrestling magazine.

During that time, he became close friends with Adrian Adonis, Road Warrior Hawk, Jumbo Tsuruta, Masa Saito, and others. 

As a result, he has a unique, first-hand perspective on the recent AWA episode of Tales from the Territories. He even visited Mr. Saito while he was incarcerated for his role in the Ken Patera/McDonald’s incident. In this case, being in prison may not be what you imagine. 

This is an interesting show. Check it out.

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Pacific Rim: Fumi Saito remembers Antonio Inoki

Posted on by Jim Valley

Fumi Saito, the man who literally wrote the book on Antonio Inoki, gives his thoughts and memories of Inoki on this very special episode of Pacific Rim.

Fumi and I talk about Inoki’s history and legacy: his creativity, his greatest matches and opponents, his place in history, the story of his WWE title win, why his wrestling was seen as the “real wrestling” in the 70s and 80s, the time Fumi had dinner with Inoki, Stu Hart & Gene Kiniski in Vancouver, and would have the reconciliation with NJPW happened had Inoki lived longer? Did anyone actually know the real Kanji Inoki? 

We talk all that and much more on this very informative episode of Pacific Rim.

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Pacific Rim: The passing of Gene LeBell, a look at the IWGP Women’s Championship

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast is back. 

Fumi Saito talks about the late “Judo” Gene LeBell, a legend in combat sports, who also was the referee for the famous Ali/Inoki match in Japan. 

We go in-depth on the new IWGP Women’s Championship. Whose idea was it and who might be a good first champion? 

Fumi gives his thoughts on Ric Flair’s last match and Flair’s legacy in Japan. How does he compare to other NWA World Champions in Japan?

Plus, it’s tournament time in Japan: the G1, N1, King’s Road, the 5-Start GP and more. 

It’s another packed episode. Check it out below.

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Pacific Rim: Debbie Malenko catches up with Fumi Saito

Posted on by Jim Valley

For the first time since January, Pacific Rim has returned.

Debbie Malenko is back wrestling after an injury ended her career nearly 30 years ago.  Fumi Saito was one of the key people who helped the then-19-year-old Debbie as she started with All Japan Women. She couldn’t even speak a word of Japanese.

Listen to two old friends Debbie and Fumi talk about the matches, her opponents, her injury, and why she’s back and wrestling Saturday, May 28 in PODER CUATRO in Las Vegas as part of F4W Convention weekend.

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Pacific Rim: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 night one review

Posted on by Jim Valley

On a new Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito and I review night one of New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 16.

While it wasn’t the best WK card of all time, it did have its moments from a great main event between IWGP Champion Shingo Takagi and Kazuchika Okada to the inspirational return of Katsuyori Shibata.

We also saw the crowning of some new champions and perhaps a new leader of the junior heavyweight division.

Fumi also talks about some of the subtle, cultural references you may have missed from night one before we do a preview of night two.

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Pacific Rim: Mike Kirchner thoughts, Stardom review, Wrestle Kingdom

Posted on by Jim Valley

In this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi Saito talks about attending Stardom Dream Queensdom 2021 at Sumo Palace, running down the major matches, stories, plans for the future and if he thinks Rossy Ogawa should be considered for the WON Hall of Fame.

Fumi was very close friends with the late Mike Kirchner who you know better as Corporal Kirchner or Super Leather. He talks about Kirchner’s career, his (at least) 55 tours of Japan and why Fumi thinks he was very misunderstood.

We talk about Wrestle Kingdom, NOAH, live wrestling in Tokyo during the New Year’s holiday, Jake Lee’s injury and the potential for Toni Storm to return to Japan.

Also, don’t forget to wish Fumi and happy birthday on January 1st. 

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